Oct 11, 2011

SAE International Partnering with F1 in Schools; Will Host National Finals

SAE International will partner with F1 in Schools to manage the F1 in Schools program in the USA, sanction regional competitions, and host the F1 in Schools USA National Finals.

The 2012 F1 in Schools National Finals will be held May 11-12 at Michigan International Speedway in conjunction with the SAE Collegiate Design Competition, Formula SAE.

F1 in Schools is an international competition for students ages 9-19 in which teams of three to six students create 1/20th scale models of Formula 1 race cars. The cars are powered by air-filled cartridges and reach speeds of up to 50 mph. 17,000 schools in 38 countries participate in F1 in Schools. Students use CAD/CAM software to design, test, manufacture and race balsa wood cars over a 20-meter track. Participants are judged on their final car design, engineering development, teamwork and project presentation.

"By partnering with F1 in Schools, SAE International expands its educational offerings and has a definitive engineering project for high school students," said Matthew Miller, director of the SAE Foundation and Pre-Professional Programs, which oversees SAE International's award-winning educational programs - the Collegiate Design Competition and A World in Motion®. "The F1 in Schools program enables high school students to participate in a sophisticated program that significantly elevates the degree of competition."

The F1 in Schools USA National Finals will include the winners of at least four regional events. Students participating in the national event will be vying for an opportunity to compete in the World Finals and a chance to win engineering scholarships to City University, London, and the coveted Bernie Ecclestone World Champions Trophy.

"Linking with SAE International and holding the F1 in Schools USA National Finals in conjunction with Formula SAE is very appropriate for both of these competitions with obvious synergies that will be advantageous to the students," said Andrew Denford, founder and chairman of F1 in Schools. "The F1 in Schools competitors will be able to experience the higher education Formula SAE challenge, which is a natural progression for high school students as they move on to college. We are indebted to SAE International for taking on our program and hope that we can have a long and successful partnership."

Miller said F1 in Schools has enjoyed popularity on the East Coast. He hopes to expand the program throughout the United States.

"Having had two past World Champions from the USA, this program has the potential to just explode in popularity around the country," Miller said. "The program gives students the opportunity to create and compete, and that's going to resonate with many kids."

Denford concurred. "Formula 1 racing is embarking on revitalization in the USA with the building of a new race track in Austin, Texas," he said. Likewise, F1 in Schools is set for further success and expansion. I am sure we will have a highly competitive 2012 National Finals and we look forward to welcoming the National Champions to our World Finals in the fall of 2012."

F1 in Schools is supported through team registrations and corporate sponsorships.

Through its charitable arm, the SAE Foundation, SAE International strives to encourage and increase student participation and achievement in science, technology, engineering and math through many programs, including A World In Motion® (AWIM) and the Collegiate Design Series.

SAE International's AWIM curriculum is a teacher-administered, industry volunteer-assisted program that brings science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to life in the classroom for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Benchmarked to the national standards, AWIM incorporates the laws of physics, motion, flight and electronics into age-appropriate hands on activities that reinforce classroom STEM curriculum.